Vanda Rothshildiana

[flexdc]

Bud, contrary to your believes, Southern California is very dry in the summer. On top of that, our nights are cool. Even in the middle of the summer, night temps can drop down to 50s.
My Rhynco has been sulking for the last couple.of years! No flower, not worse, not better! I now have it in a cold frame (for humidity ) and in S/H so I don't have to water it every morning. It is very discouraging when you have to water a plant everyday and yet it doesn't do a thing for you. I will post a pic later.
Andrew

[Bud]

I hope that plant flowers for you...they can produce like a foxtail clusters of small flowers and very fragrant...
S/H will work for you as long as you dont let water touch the roots for a couple of months...make sure it doesnt get cold (the water inside your plastic container might get chilly if you say nights are in the 50's)
flush the container in the sink for 10 minutes with the faucet at full every other week to get rid of plant debris and fertilizer deposits...
read Ray's S/H method and understand it fully...then adjust it to the way you are comfortable with your plant

[flexdc]

I checked my Rhynco last night, no root rot just yet. None of the roots are touching water (I bought a big plastic container). The roots are staying green even at the end of the day (evidence that capillary action is at work?) I need to remember to take a photo and post it.

As for night time temp in the cold frame, it is usually in the mid 60s. So I think I am ok.

[Bud]

why would you have root rot if your container is clean?
maybe a couple of bottom leaves might yellow and fall out ...it is normal on the first two months of S/H...
the roots will not be affected on this because it is moist
the biggest of the roots will try to go down and feel the water...so increase the level of water if the roots get acustomed to the water...
the water at 60F at room temps in the night is very good...
what side window is it facing?

[flexdc]

The cold frame is in my garden facing south west. The sun is very strong now, so I have a shade cloth on top of the frame. Basically this is my little green house.
I gouged out a few holes about 2 inches above the bottom of the container. I watered the whole contraption letting extra water drained out except for the bottom two inches. I think this is the way to do it right? I filled LECA pellets around the orchid roots. Seems like the pellets are providing some moisture thru capillary action. When I get home tonight I will take a picture.

[Bud]

seems like you are doing it right